Warren Keaton

General Warren Fitzgerald Keaton is a fictional politician and the (former) Vice President of the United States on the ABC television series "Commander in Chief". He was portrayed on the program by Peter Coyote.

Background

Political

Few details are known regarding Keaton's background. He is a Democrat, and ran for Vice President on the Democratic ticket against Teddy Bridges and Mackenzie Allen two years prior to being appointed to the office by President Allen.

He is sympathetic to the Palestinian side in the Israel-Palestinian conflict, as opposed to Allen, who is pro-Israel. He habitually greets Allen's Palestinian aide, Vince, in Arabic, much to the consternation of the aide, who doesn't speak the language.

He began his military service at West Point, where he also played football.

Personal

Keaton and his wife are raising their grandson, of whom they obtained custody following the tragic death of their daughter, who was a single mother. Keaton, and possibly his daughter, seem to be involved with or related to some type of as-yet-unknown personal scandal, known by a small handful of congressional Republicans, which they have subtly suggested they may use against him should he go against their leadership.

Keaton has a reputation as a loose cannon, as evidenced by his outburst at First Gentleman Rod Calloway during his preparatory sessions for his confirmation hearings.

Resignation

In "First Scandal", Templeton halts the House hearings before Keaton has to provide some sort of potentially damaging information about his deceased daughter. Keaton later thanks Templeton for the favor.

Templeton attempts to call in the favor in "Ties That Bind", asking Keaton to break a tie vote in the Senate in Templeton's favor; but instead, Keaton votes against Templeton, then immediately presents his resignation to President Allen, claiming that he wants to spent more time with his wife who is suffering from cancer. President Allen accepted his resignation and promised not to reveal much to the press and the public.

Comparison to Wesley Clark

Like General Wesley Clark, Keaton is a former general who attended West Point. Clark ran for President in 2004 as a Democrat and was considered a potential Vice-Presidential candidate after his primary bid failed. The two men also share a certain physical resemblance.